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Lamenting the demise of CTV’s morning program Canada AM

The CTV morning program Canada AM, a show of substance that made viewers sad, happy and angry.

Sun., June 5, 2016

Re: CTV suddenly yanks Canada AM, June 3

CTV suddenly yanks Canada AM, June 3

I realize this will be just one of hundreds who write in sadness and extreme disappointment that CTV and Bell Media have decided yet another flimsy, frippery-based show will replace Canada AM, this icon of Canadiana.

Some of us like substance. Something with a story about Canadians. Something to make us feel (are we allowed to say that about TV anymore?) sad, happy, angry, to make us laugh like fools. I can tell you Good Morning America and the TODAY show do not do that.

To think Ben Mulroney may replace these anchors in the same time slot adds insult to injury and nails the coffin shut — we know the contents now. A Kardashian future for morning TV in Canada! The worship of anyone and anything earning megabucks — entertaining and airy fairy. Nothing to tax those diminishing brain cells. Nothing serious puh-leeze!

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If people flock to the new morning show, coffee cup in hand, and enjoy it, maybe the decision means CTV has read Canadians correctly. I personally hope they are wrong, but I wouldn’t bet the farm.

If they are right, will night TV be next? Skewer The National. Bring on CNN?

Let’s see those stars and stripes (oops, the maple leaf) fly in support of quality morning TV.

Rochelle Hatton, Sudbury

On Friday morning, June 3, the venerable Canada AM signed off for the last time after a 46-year run as Canada’s national morning television show. In another episode of Bell Media’s slash-and-burn campaign, they’ve eliminated hundreds of jobs across the country and have abruptly ended many distinguished broadcasting careers. This move alone put dozens more producers, writers and technicians on the unemployment line here in Toronto.

In many ways, it’s difficult and unreasonable to tell companies how to conduct their business, but since this business deals with the public airwaves and the evolving means by which content is delivered to consumers, media companies have a licensed responsibility to serve the public and live up to the terms of the privilege they’ve been granted. It would be nice if the CRTC did its job and acted on behalf of the public and its airwaves, which it was created to do.

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